The cognitive Approach

Question 1

What are the core studies in the cognitive Approach ?

Answer 1

Baren Choen:theory of mind
Loftus and Palmer: Car crash language+memory
Savage Rumbaugh: Bonobo’s (Kanzi)

Question 2

What is the cognitive Appraoch?

Answer 2

Cognitions are an example of hypothetical constructs.
We cannot directly see processes such as thinking but we can infer what thinking is.
We are more sophisticated than modern technology.
Ignores past experience and cultural influence.

Question 3

What are the assumptions of the Cognitive Approach?

Answer 3

1. )Behaviour is explained in terms of how the mind works.
2. ) The mind works like a computer - we input, store and then retrieve data.
3. ) How information(processing,) and ideas (situation) affect our behaviour.

Question 4

What are the strengths?

Answer 4

1. ) Tends to use lab experiments to highly controlled - and able to do cause and effect statements
2. )Useful contributions have appeared from this approach e.g. Modern cognitive therapy.

Question 5

What are the weaknesses?

Answer 5

1. )The validity has issues as we can only infer what someone is thinking- relies on self report and observations- which give social desirability and demand characteristics.
2. ) As it relies on computer analogies it can be reductionist and mechanic
3. ) Mostly lab - lacks ecological validity.